Binding composition and method of making same



3,215,549 BINDING COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Bcrnt Sture Jiirgen Ericson, Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, assignor to M och Domsjii Aktiebolag, Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, a limited company of Sweden No Drawing. Filed Feb. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 347,703 Claims priority, application Sweden, Feb. 28, 1963, 2,224/ 63 12 Claims. (Cl. 106-90) The present invention relates generally to binding or setting compositions and is more particularly concerned with binding compositions which contain an inorganic filler togetherwith a water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether and which may also contain an inorganic binding agent. Such compositions include, e.g., mortar, plaster of Paris, brick paste and mortar for attaching and/or 'oinin es or other building elements or 1norganic material.

It is well known to admt rggl g le cellulose ethers to compositions of the type re erre to. From many years of practical experience and extensive laboratory testing it has been established that addition of a watersoluble cellulose ether to a mortar or brick paste imparts to the composition the following desirable and valuable properties:

(1) A considerably improved plasticity or pliability. This effect is particularly marked when the mortar is of a lean character or when it is necessary to use a sand gradation which is not the most suitable for the purpose.

(2) An increased adhesion to brick or stone surfaces and therefore tighter joints.

(3) A reduced or minimized separation of water, depending on theamount o f cel lul o e et her added.

(4) A reduced water requirement (up td'l0%) and hence an increased strength and a more rapid drying of the building.

(5) A reduced capillary absorption by the base. Sulficient water is retained by the mortar for its complete and adequate binding or setting.

(6) A reduced tendency to shrinkage and cracking.

The main object of the present invention is to provide further improvements of the desirable properties of binding compositions of the type referred to and containing nonionic water-soluble cellulose ethers.

Another object is to provide a considerably improved adhesive efEEtTrmproved water retention and improved strength properties of binding compositions comprising an inorganic filler and a water-soluble cellulose ether and optionally an inorganic binder material as compared to prior art compositions of this type.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by adding to the composition together with the water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether a wategsglnblesalt of a chlomphenoLin an amount of 5 to 50% based on the weig of cellulose ether.

It is well known that by adding a phenol derivative to an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble cellulose ether one obtains a thickening action (viscosity increase) and then rather rapidly, on increased addition of the phenol derivative, a flocculation. This effect is previously described and manufacturers of cellulose ethers advise against using certain phenol derivatives in connection with water-soluble cellulose ethers, see, e.g., The Modocoll E Manual, published by Mo och Domsjo AB, Ornskoldsvik, Sweden (September 1960), page 19, and Methocel published by The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan (1958), page 14.

The thickening effect of chlorinated phenol derivatives is most marked with the sodium salt of pentachlorophe- Um'ted States Patent 0 3,215,549 Patented Nov. 2, 1965 nol and decreases with decreasing number of chlorine atoms of the chlorinated phenol.

Surprisingly it was found, however, that when a watersoluble nonionic cellulose ether is added together with a water-soluble salt of a chl c m r 'gp henol in the amount indicated above to a mortar or paste, i.e., a mixture containing in addition to water one or more filler materials and optionally one or more inorganic binders, one obtains a mortar or paste having considerably improved water retention, adhesion and strength properties.

The in rga i filleg$ .used in the composition of this en ion may e 3 particulate inorganic material having a particle size of not above 4 mm., such as natural sand, stone fiour of various types, such as crushed granite, marble, dolomite, quartzite, or sandstone, further vermiculitglgieselgtihr and others. The inorganic filler is generally present in an amount of from 1 to 99% of the total composition.

The inor e maybe, e.g., Po tlang cernent, aluminaje cement, magnesium salt cement (Sorels ceniiit), slag cement, puzzolan cement or other hydraulic binders, air limefliydraiilic' limef'gypsum (plaster of Paris), etc., ora'ny mixture thereof. The amount of the inorganic binder materrfl will generally be from 0 to 99% of the dry weight of the composition.

The water-solubleggl lglo se ethenmay be any cellulose. etherifiedTvrth nonionic substituent groups to a degree of substitution such that the cellulose ether is soluble in water. Examples include alkylcelluloses, such as methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, methyl-ethylcellulose, hydroxya y celluloses, such as hydrox eth lcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, bxdmylklr nfim fil-hythmellulose, alkyl-hydroxyalkylcelluloses, suc as me y myethylcellulose, methyl-hydroxypropylcellulose, ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulcTs ef"ethyl" hydroxypropylcellulose etc. The viscosity of the cellulose ether should be generally at least 500 centipgrse' s as measured in a Brookfield viscometer in a 2 0 aqueous solution at 20 C., and will generally be within the range of 700 1g IZQOO centipoises.

The nonionic cellulose ether is generally added to the composition in amount of from 0.1 to 5% based on the dry weight of the total composmral, a lower amount within this range is used for a high-viscosity ether, and a greater amount will be used for an ether of lower viscosity.

In this connection it may be noted that ionic cellulose ethers, such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) may also be added to compositions of the type contemplated here, but must be added in considerable amounts of the order of 10% to achieve any noticeable effect. Also, to obtain an improvement by means of chlorophenols, these will have to be added in great amounts. Therefore, ionic s are unsatis phenoLderixativeadded accordin to t 1on ma be any water-soluble salt of ortho-, metaor para-chlorop eno ,4, 215 25:14

1c orop eno ,5-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,5-, 2,4,6- or 3,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,5-, 2,3,4,6- or 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol or pentachlorophenol. Pentachlorophenol is preferred, because the desirable effects can be obtained with a lower addition of this product and also because the lower chlorinated phenols have a strong odor which makes them undesirable for many uses. Water-soluble salts of these chlorinated phenols include primarily the alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof in particular sodium, potassium and lithium salts.

As above mentioned, the amount of water-soluble phenol salt will generally be from 5 to 50% based on the dry weight of the cellulose derivative. Lower amounts do not result in an appreciable improvement of the adhesive and strength properties of the composition, while with amounts above this range the strength of the composition is reduced and finally disappears depending on the fiocculating effect above referred to. For sodium pentachlorophenate which is the preferred addition, the preferred range is 5 to 30% based on the weight of the cellulose ether, while for the less chlorinated derivatives, such as sodium 2,4,5-trichlorophenate the amount necessary to achieve an optimum improvement will be somewhat higher, e.g., 10- 50% by weight.

The compositions of this invention are generally intended to be used as a mortar for joining bricks and other building elements, as a mortar for coating building surfaces, as an adhesive for attaching tiles and other building elements of inorganic or organic material to wall or floor surfaces or for joining such tiles and building elements to each other. For such purpose, the compositions of this invention are mixed with the requisite amount of water, as is well known in the art. In addition to the ingredients listed above, other components may be added, as desired, such as asbestos or other inorganic or organic fibrous material.

To prepare the mortar or paste compositions, the cellulose ether and the chlorophenol salt may be added in dry powdered form to the dry mortar or paste mixture together or separately in any sequence or a stock solution of the combination in water can be prepared to be added to the mortar or paste mixtures in suitable proportions. It is also possible to apply the additives as coatings on a carrier material and then add the combination in a pulverulent form, as disclosed in the Swedish Patents 155,354 and 173,344.

The superior water retention property of compositions of this invention is illustrated by a water-absorption test carried out in accordance with the Cement Marketing Company Ltd. and British Standard Method, the water absorption being determined in six layers of filter paper from a certain mortar cake is measured exactly. The results of such tests are tabulated below.

TABLE I.WATER ABSORPTION FROM MORTAR Mortar mixture:

30% by weight of Portland cement 35% by weight of crushed marble (maximum particle size 0.5 mm.) 35% by weight of crushed marble (max. particle size 0.35 mm.)

Ethyl-hydroxyethyl- Test Wate cellulose, gJkg. oi mortar Na penta- Water Series mLIkg. oi ehlorophenabsorp No. mortar ate, g./kg. tion, gJkg.

Medium High vise. mortar mortar vise.

wall surface and an ordinary ceramic tile (10 x 10 cm.) is

pressed fast in this layer. The ceramic tile will then immediately remain fixed in exactly the position wherein it is left. Tests have been carried out in which a load was applied to the tile immediately after it was attached,

4 but a load of 2.0 kg. has caused no sliding of the tile. The mortar and pastes contemplated here when stirred show a long almost latex-like character and are very smooth to work with. This is also true when they are applied to a dry, highly absorbing base.

An ancillary effect of the addition of chlorophenol salts, in particular sodium pentachlorophenate that fiasqmnss ti uiumtss sifggfiteskmm The improvement in strengt properties of the mortars and pastes after setting is considerable, which is apparent from the results shown in the following examples, which illustrate various embodiments of the compositions of this invention and different manners of using them. In these examples, all parts and percentages are by weight.

The strength properties were determined in most examples as the shear strength in a joint between two tiles of ceramic materials according to American Standard Specification for Dry Set Portland Cement Mortar, Al18.l-l959. In the case of brick paste (Table X) the bending tensile strength between two joined testing bodies of the dimensions 10 x 12 x 15 cm. was determined.

Example 1 A Portland cement mortar composition comprising 15% of Portland cement and of filler (crushed marble, maximum particle size 0.75 mm.) to which was added 15 g. of high viscosity ethyl-hydroxyethylecellulose (EHEC) per kg. of dry mortar was used to join ceramic tiles (absorbing material) and the shear strength of the joint was determined after 7 days. The results obtained with varying additions of sodium pentachlorophenate (Na PCP) are tabulated below.

A mortar composition comprising 30% of Portland cement and 70% of the same filler as in Example 1 together with 10 g. of high-viscosity hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) per kg. of dry mortar was used in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are tabulated below.

TABLE III Na PCP Shear strength Water, mL/kg. mortar gJkg. Percent mortar based on kg. Percent EIIEC Example 3 The same mortar composition as in Example 2 was used except that medium viscosity ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (EHEC) was used instead of BBC, and that sodium 2,4,5-trichlorophenate (Na TCP) was used instead of Na PCP. The following results were obtained.

The same procedure was used as in Example 3 except that a high viscosity methyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (MHEC) was used instead of HEC. The following results were obtained.

TABLE V Na PCP Shear strength Water, mLIkg. mortar g./kg. Percent mortar based on kg. Percent MHEC Example 5 In this example, the following two mortar compositions were used.

FORMULA A Percent Portland cement 30 Filler (crushed quartzite max. particle size 1.5

TABLE VI Compression str. Bendin g tensile Shear str.

sr. Formula kg. Percent kg. Percent kg. Percent Example 6 A mortar composition comprising 15% of Portland cement and of filler (crushed marble, max. particle size 0.5 mm.) together with 15 g. of high-viscosity ethylhydroxyethylcellulose was used in a test series with varying amounts of Na PCP to join refractory bricks (n'onabsorbing material). The shear strength was determined after 7 days. The results are tabulated below.

In this example, Portland cement mortar compositions were used to join ceramic tiles to light concrete, both being highly absorbing materials. Two basic mortar compositions were used containing (A) 1 part of Portland cement and 4 parts of sand (maximum particle size 2.5 mm.), and (B) 1 part of Portland cement and 7 parts mm.) 69.5 of sand (maximum particle size 2.5 mm.). The shear Ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (medium viscosity) 0.5 strength in this case was determined after 7 and 28 days. Water, 180 ml. per kg. dry mortar. The results are tabulated below.

TABLE VIII Shear strength EHEC Na PCP, Water-to Mortar formula Pretreatment of tiles (med. vise), g.lkg.mortar cement ratio 7d. 28 d.

gJkg. mortar kg. Percent kg. Percent A" 0 0 0.53 145 420 a 1. 0 0 0. 55 820 100 945 100 1. 0 o. 1 0. 51 530 77 1, 355 144 A 0 0 0.63 o a 5. o 0 0. 55 510 100 775 100 A- 5. 0 0. 5 0.51 715 117 1, 530 216 o o 1.27 210 2 B 1. 0 0 1. 02 505 100 340 100 B 1.0 0. 1 0. 485 95 1, 390 225 B 0 0 1.27 0 0 B 10 0 1. 02 502 630 100 B 10 0. 1 0. 96 502 100 1,680 257 FORMULA B Example 8 Percent Portland cement 30 Mortar compositions according to the following for- Filler (same as Formula A) 69.45 mulas were used to join ceramic tiles to wood, particle Ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (medium viscosity) 0.5 bo rd d h rd llbo d;

Na PCP 0.05

Water, ml. per kg. dry mortar.

The mortar compositions were used to join sintered floor tiles (non-absorbing material) and the compression strength, the bending tensile strength and the shear strength were determined after 7 days. The results are tabulated below.

FORMULA A Percent Portland cement 30 Crushed marble (max. particle size 0.75 mm.) 69.5 Ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (medium viscosity) 0.5

Water, 200 ml. per kg. mortar.

7 FORMULA B Percent Portland cement 30 Crushed marble (max. particle size 0.75 mm.) 69.45 Ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (medium viscosity) 0.50 Na PCP 0.05

Water, 130 ml. per kg. mortar.

The shear strength was determined after 7 days and the following results were obtained.

TABLE IX Shear strength Shear strength Shear strength on wallboard on particle board on wood Formula kg. Percent kg. Percent kg. Percent A 315 100 105 100 IS 550 175 275 260 105 Example 9.--Brick paste The bending tensile strength (after 7 days) of joints made with brick paste according to the following formulas were determined.

Ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (medium viscosity) 1.0

Na PCP 0.1 Water, 310 ml. per kg. dry comp.

FORMULA 0 Percent Portland cement 30.0 Filler (max. particle size 0.75 mm.) 51.3 Gypsum H O) 17.2 Ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (high viscosity) 1.5 Water, 370 ml. per kg. dry comp.

FORMULA D Portland cement 30.0 Filler (max. particle size 0.75 mm.) 51.15 Gypsum /& H O) 17.20 Ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (high viscosity) 1.50 Na PCP 0.15 Water, 370 ml. per kg. dry comp.

The following results were obtained.

TABLE X Bending tensile strength Formula kg. Percent Examples -17 below illustrate compositions which do not include inorganic binder materials but only filler material together with cellulose ether.

Example 10 A mortar composition consisting of 50% of filler of maximum particle size 0.5 mm., 50% filler of maximum particle size 0.75 mm. and 10 g. of high-viscosity ethylhydroxyethylcellulose per kg. of mortar was used to join tiles. The shear strength was determined after 14 days. The results are tabulated below.

It should further be noted that the adhesive efiect of the composition was markedly improved by the addition of sodium pentachlorophenate, when evaluated as explained hereinbefore.

Example 11 The procedure was the same as in Example 10 except that 10 g. of high viscosity methylcellulose (MC) and 10 g. of high-viscosity methyl-hydroxyethylcellulose (MI-IEC) were used instead of EHEC. The results are tabulated below.

TABLE XII Na PCP Shear strength Water, Cellulose ether mlJkg. Percent mortar gJkg. based on kg. Percent mortar cellulose ether MC 266 0 0 250 C 316 1. 0 10 280 112 320 0 0 273 100 320 1. 0 10 295 106 Example 12 The procedure was the same as in Example 10 except that the filler consisted of 50% of 0.3 mm. max. particle size and 50% of 0.5 mm. max. particle size and 15 g. of EHEC were used instead of 10 g. per kg. of filler. The following results were obtained.

The procedure was the same as in Example 12 except that a high viscosity hydroxethylcellulose (HEC) was used instead of EHEC. The following results were obtained.

TABLE XIV Na PCP Shear strength Water, mL/kg. mortar gJkg. Percent mortar based on kg. Percent HEC Example 14 Light concrete bricks were joined with mortar compositions comprising 50% filler of 0.50 mm. maximum particle size, 50% filler of 0.75 mm. particle size and (A) 15 g. of high-viscosity hydroxyethylcellulose per kg. mortar and (B) 15 g. of high viscosity methyl-hydroxyethylcellulose per kg. mortar. The shear strength was 10 used instead of EHEC. The results are tabulated below.

determined after 14 days. The results are tabulated TABLE XVIII below.

TABLE Xv Na PCP Shear strength 0 n 1 th l r i? P t Sh tr n h e uosee er g. ercen Na PCP ears 8 gt mortar gJkg. based on kg. Percent Water, mortar cellulose Cellulose ether g./kg. Percent ether mortar g.lkg. baisled on kg. Percent I mortar et l lt 384 0 0 690 100 400 2.25 15 830 120 380 0 0 345 100 385 0 0 470 100 500 2. 25 15 420 122 400 2 15 900 189 530 3. 0 20 570 165 380 0 0 540 100 430 0 0 415 100 500 2 25 15 590 109 520 2.25 15 520 125 Example 15 The mortar and procedure were the same as in Example except that sodium 2,4,5-trichlorophenate (Na TCP) was used instead of Na PCP and g. instead of 10 g. EHEC were used. The results are tabulated below.

TABLE XVI Na TCP Shear strength Water. mlJkg. mortar gJkg. Percent mortar based on kg. Percent EHEC Example 16 Refractory bricks were joined with a mortar composition comprising 50% filler of 0.3 mm. maximum particle size and 50% filler of 0.5 mm. maximum particle size together with 15 g. high viscosity ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose. The shear strength values were determined after 14 days. The results are tabulated below.

The composition and procedure were the same as in Example 16 except that high-viscosity hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), high-viscosity methylcellulose (MC) and high-viscosity methyl-hydroxyethylcellulose were In the above examples the filler consisted of crushed marble except in Example 5 wherein crushed quartzite was used and Example 7 wherein sand was used. The particle size distributions of the filler materials were as follows:

Sand-maximum particle size 2.5 mm.: Percent Through 1 mm. 67 Through 0.5 mm 34 Through 0.25 mm. 18

Fillermaximum particle size 1.5 mm.: Percent Through 1 mm. 96 Through 0.5 mm 69 Through 0.25 mm. 32

Filler-maximum particle size 0.75 mm.: Percent Through 0.5 mm 84 Through 0.25 mm. 55 Through 0.10 mm. 30

Fillermaximum particle size 0.5 mm.: Percent Through 0.25 mm. 95 Through 0.15 mm Through 0.09 mm. 50

Filler-maximum particle size 0.3 mm.: Percent Through 0.125 mm 54 Through 0.075 mm 31 Through 0.03 mm. 11

The terms high viscosity and medium viscosity used in connection with the cellulose ethers in the above examples are as follows:

EHEC Cps. Medium viscosity 2000-5000 High viscosity 5000-12000 HEC Medium viscosity 700-5000 High viscosity 5000-12000 Medium viscosity 2000-5000 High viscosity 5000-10000 MHEC Medium viscosity 2000-4000 High viscosity 4000-8000 These viscosities are all determined in 2% aqueous solutions at 20 C. in a Brookfield viscometer.

The following Table XIX summarizes the results of Examples l-l7 above and indicates the optimum percent strength improvement in each case as compared to the control samples, i.e., mortar or paste containing only cellulose ether but no chlorinated phenol salt.

TABLE XIX-SUMMARY Optimum Ex. Mortar or paste type Type of base ma- Cellulose ether Strength terlal improvement, percent 1-...- Cement plus filler..." 25 2 do 25 3 do 3 4 do 11 5 49, 25, 23 6 ..do 46 7 Cement plus sand 167 8 Cement plus filler. 160 9 Brick paste- 2g 10 Filler 13 11 do 12 6 12 (in 117 I! do 21 14 do 3 15 do 26 16 do Non-absorbing-.. 17 do an 32 MC =methylcellulose 11 E C =hydroxyethylcellulose EIIE C =ethy1-h ydroxyethylcellulose MHEC=methyl-hydroxyethylcellulose HV=high viscosity MV=medium viscosity It will be seen from Table XIX that the optimum strength improvements obtained by the combination of cellulose ether and chlorinated phenol salt in accordance with this invention is within the range of from 9% to 167%, the latter very good result being obtained when attaching dry ceramic tiles on dry light weight concrete. The result is the more remarkable as dry tiles attached to a dry base with a conventional mortar comprising no cellulose ether gives no shear strength at all, with a normal mortar containing cellulose ether a strength was obtained which is considerably above that obtainable with conventional mortar, watered tiles and watered base, but with a mortar containing the cellulose ether phenol salt combination in accordance with this invention, strength values were obtained which were 167% better than the just mentioned strength values, which are quite satisfactory per se (see Example 7, Formulas A and B). The good strength improvement with the last-mentioned mortar proves that the water retention is very good which makes for a complete and adequate setting of hydraulic mortars. A mortar containing no addition of cellulose ether is not capable of building up any strength at all on account of a great loss of moisture to the atmosphere and a great absorption of moisture into the surrounding tiles and base. Such mortars soon become soft and crumbling, in particular if it is attempted to apply them in thin layers on a dry base. A mortar prepared in accordance with the present invention is 5 well adapted to be applied in thin layers.

.Example 8, wherein organic bases have been tested, is also of great interest. Ceramic tiles have been attached with a mortar comprising only a medium viscosity cellulose ether (Formula A) and with a mortar comprising the combination of cellulose ether and chlorophenol salt of this invention (Formula B). This example shows that on wallboard a strength improvement in the mortar of 75% has been obtained. On particle board, the corresponding improvement is 160% and on solid wood it has not been possible at all to attach the tiles with Formula A while tiles attached with a mortar according to Formula B have resisted an average shear force of 105 kg. per tile.

Example 12 exemplifies a typical paste, which might also be designated a tile fix comprising as the only binder the combination of cellulose ether and chlorophenol salt. Since no hydraulic binders are present in this formula, the paste is storable for an indefinite time provided that it is stored in the absence of air in a tube or the like, which is a very valuable property in many cases. Example 12 also shows that an optimum strength improvement of 117% is obtained, which is a very good evidence of the superior adhesive properties of the combination cellulose ether chlorophenol salt. That, e.g., a tile fix of desirable properties can be made from only a filler material and the cellulose ether chlorophenol salt combination as the sole binder has also been proved by practical use. Thus, an easily worked paste or fix of good pliability was obtained which in each case was capable of retaining the tiles exactly in position after they had been correctly positioned.

A paste which has been found particularly suitable for attaching insulating material, such as mineral or glass wool mats, felts, plates and/or sheets and various types of polymeric plastic materials, such as expanded polystyrene, may have any one of the following formulations,

wherein the compositions are given in parts by weight.

Portland cement 15.00 Fille material (max. 0.5 mm.) 83.50 High viscosity cellulose ether 1.35 Sodium pentachlorophenate 0.15 Water, 4 to 430 ml. per kg. paste.

5 Filler material (max. 1.5 mm.) 98.50 High viscosity cellulose ether 1.27 Sodium pentachlorophcnate 0.23

I claim:

1. A method of increasing the strength and improving the adhesive action of a composition comprising an inorganic filler and a minor amount of a water-soluble nonionic gellulose thergwhich comprises adding to said composltion a water-soluble salt of a chlorophenol in an amount of 5 to 50% based on the dry weight of said cellulose ether.

2. A method as in claim 1 in which 5 to 30% of sodium pentachlorophenate is added to said composition based on the dry weight of said cellulose ether.

3. A method as in claim 1 in which said water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose, methyl-hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose and methylcellulose and mixtures thereof, and is added in an amount of 0.1 75 to 5% based on the dry weight of the total composition.

\Water, 490 to 510 ml. per kg. paste. 60

4. A method as in claim 1, in which said inorganic filler is selected from the group consisting of stone flour, kieselguhr, vermiculite and sand having a maximum particle size of 4 mm.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition includes an inorganic binder.

6. A method as in claim 5 in which said inorganic binder is an hydraulic cement selected from the group consisting of Portland cement, aluminate cement, magnesium salt cement, slag cement, puzzolan cement, lime, gypsum and mixtures of said binders, said inorganic binder being added in an amount of to 99% based on the dry weight of the total composition.

7. A binder composition adapted to be used as a mortar, wall coating, a compound for attaching and joining building tiles or brick paste having improved strength and adhesive properties, said composition comprising an inorganic filler, a minor amount of a water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether together with -50% based on the dry weight of said cellulose ether, of a water-soluble salt of a chlorophenol.

8. A binder composition as in claim 7 in which 5 to 30% of sodium pentachlorophenate is added to said composition based on the dry weight of said cellulose ether.

9. A binder composition as in claim 7 in which said water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose and methylcellulose and mixtures thereof, and is added in an amount of 0.1 to 5% based on the dry weight of the total composition.

10. A binder composition as in claim 7 in which said inorganic filler is selected from the group consisting of stone flour, kieselguhr, vermiculite and sand having a maximum particle size of 4 mm.

11. The composition of claim 7 including an inorganic binder.

12. A binder composition as in claim 11 in which said inorganic binder is an hydraulic cement selected from the group consisting of Portland cement, aluminate cement, magnesium salt cement, slag cement, puzzolan cement, lime, gypsum and mixtures of said binders, said inorganic binder being added in an amount of 0 to 99% based on the dry weight of the total composition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,328,290 8/43 Neiderreither 106-93 2,439,440 4/ 48 Amberg 106-90 3,030,258 4/62 Wagner 106-93 3,096,183 7/63 Genth 106190 FOREIGN PATENTS 555,708 4/58 Canada. 712,419 7/54 Great Britain.

TOBIAS E. LEVOW, Primary Examiner. 

7. A BINDER COMPOSITION ADAPTED TO BE USED AS A MORTAR; WALL COATING, A COMPOUND FOR ATTACHING AND JOINING BUILDING TILES OR BRICK PASTE HAVING IMPROVED STRENGTH AND ADHESIVE PROPERTIES, SAID COMPOSITION COMPRISING AN INORGANIC FILLER, A MINOR AMOUNT OF A WATER-SOLUBLE NONIONIC CELLULOSE ETHER TOGETHER WITH 5-50% BASED ON THE DRY WEIGHT OF SAID CELLULOSE ETHER, OF A WATER-SOLUBLE SALT OF A CHLOROPHENOL. 